NBCNewYork/Juan DeJesus
Samuel Mark a local New York City artist is getting New Yorkers to take a second look at the city's growing bed bug problem through imaginative and thought provoking pieces of art.
Samuel Mark, "The Bed Bug Artist," is turning heads in New York City.
Mark, who has been selling street art for the last 10 years, is a Brooklyn artist who cut his teeth on subway graffiti. He's Also known for his other street art, like the suspicious package, and "King of New York" posters.
Lately, he's been using his talents to bring attention to the city's growing bedbug problem.
"I actually experienced bedbugs firsthand," Mark told NBCNewYork. "It wasn't a pleasant experience and I just thought that there should be some more awareness raised about it."
You can spot his critter infested artwork throughout the Lower East Side -- curbside: Random thrown-away couches, headboards and even large poster boards are all canvases the New York artist uses as tools in his battle to bring awareness to the problem.
Mark notes that his goal in creating the art is to make people think about the problem instead of it just being another piece of news they hear about.
"I don't think enough is being done about it within the communities that don't have as much money," noted Mark. "You would be surprised how many people you actually talk to and they think it's a joke and they don't realize how bad the problem with bed bugs really is," remarked the artist.
The artist is usually found tucked away between Broadway and Mercer St. where you can find Mark forcibly tapping marker heads against a piece of plywood that acts as his easel. Unlike the other artists Mark welcomes firsthand discussions about all of his artwork.
"I get them to look at something disgusting, but then they see the positive quote I wrote inside and they take that away with them," noted Mark.
Mark stressed that his art is just to get people talking. You can continue the discussion with him if you can find him on Mercer and Broadway, on at Samuel Mark Art on Facebook.
